Injectable 2D-MoS2-integrated adhesive hydrogel for NIR-triggered photothermal and drug-delivery implant in colorectal cancer therapy

Abstract Patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) and diffuse peritoneal metastasis are not eligible for surgical intervention, and calling for more efficient and precise treatment strategies to complement the traditional systemic chemotherapy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Herein, an injectable two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (2D-MoS2)-integrated adhesive N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxy-5-nitro-sophenoxy) butanamide-linked sodium alginate-MoS2-5-fluorouracil (AlgNB/MoS2/5-Fu) hydrogel, which can function as an near-infrared light (NIR)-triggered photothermal and drug-delivery implant for CRC treatment is introduced. Ultraviolet (UV) light-activated aldehyde groups in AlgNB bound to the surface-modified MoS2 nanosheets via a Schiff base reaction. The MoS2 nanosheets maintained superior dispersibility in the hydrogel and exhibited a highly efficient NIR-triggered photothermal effect. More importantly, the aldehyde group in AlgNB also imparted tissue adhesion to the hydrogel, the adhesive hydrogel was used to infiltrate and fix in tumor tissue. Combining applications as a 5-Fu drug delivering implant, the injectable adhesive AlgNB/MoS2/5-Fu hydrogel shows remarkable capability in the inhibition of SW480 cells and colorectal tumour regression by triggering photothermal therapy (PTT) and delivering the 5-Fu drug in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, this research provides distinct guidance strategies for the synergistic tumor therapy of localized CRC and shows enormous potential for cancer treatment in the clinical setting.